Chapter 209: Medusa: "It's Fine, Being Small Is Cute Too~"
In the forest outside the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran stood in silence, glancing around with a sense of nostalgia.
A year ago, this was where they, along with Lu Bu, Wu Hao, and Hu Jia, had participated in the Fire Energy Hunting Competition and entered the Inner Academy for the first time.
Although the process wasn't particularly pleasant Xiao Yan had first been beaten up by Lu Bu, then dragged by him to challenge the Black White Evil Spirits their fiery introduction saw them clearing the competition in a single day.
In Xiao Yan's mind, the plan had initially been simple: beat up all the senior students, snatch their fire energy, and fatten their own cards.
However, Lu Bu had outright refused this approach, showing little interest in fire energy. Instead, he acted as if he were in a hurry, forcing them to directly confront the Black White Evil Spirits.
Had it not been for the fact that they couldn't beat him or rather, had it not been for the enticing promise of the Azure Fire Crystal Card that Lu Bu had offered Xiao Yan wouldn't have agreed so easily.
Recalling the events of that time, Xiao Yan couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth.
Still, the year had been fulfilling. A year ago, he had only been a Da Dou Shi. Now, he had achieved the level of Dou Wang. In the Jia Ma Empire, this placed him among the elite someone who could stand at the pinnacle of power or command a region of his own.
And that wasn't all he was now a fifth tier alchemist!
"As long as Lu Bu isn't around, the world is bright and beautiful," Xiao Yan thought with a deep breath, the corners of his lips curling into a smile.
Now, he was ready to return home in glory a king's return!
Nalan Yanran was similarly filled with emotion. Having reached the five star Dou Ling level, she had not quite managed to break into the six star Dou Ling realm before leaving the Inner Academy. Still, over the course of a single year, she had crossed an entire major boundary.
Such rapid progress in strength was something her teacher, Yun Yun, had likely never experienced. If she continued to push herself, surpassing her teacher was no longer just a dream!
Lost in thought, the two soon arrived at the spatial boundary outside the Inner Academy, where Elder Su and Elder Qing were stationed.
"Oh… Xiao Yan and Nalan, right?" Upon seeing them, the two Dou Huang elders smiled warmly.
With their rapid progress in just a year coupled with Xiao Yan's background as the apprentice of Yao Lao these two were definitely the kind of students worth treating kindly.
After all, other than the monstrous talent of Lu Bu, there was likely no one in the Inner Academy who could surpass them.
"Greetings, Elders," Xiao Yan said with a respectful smile.
"Heading out?" the elders asked curiously.
"Yes, family matters," Xiao Yan replied.
Before the elders could inquire further, a figure appeared, seemingly stepping out of thin air. This man hovered in mid air, walking as if on solid ground.
"Grand Elder!" The two elders, Elder Su and Elder Qing, immediately bowed respectfully. The figure was none other than the Grand Elder of the Inner Academy, Su Qian.
"Don't worry; I'm just here to see them off," Su Qian said with a smile, waving for the two elders to step aside.
"Grand Elder, what brings you here?" Xiao Yan asked, surprised by Su Qian's personal appearance.
"To see you off," Su Qian said warmly. "You've brought great contributions to Jia Nan Academy by helping us gain three new Dou Zongs. Such a favor is no small matter."
"You flatter me, Grand Elder. Without Jia Nan Academy's full support, my teacher and I wouldn't have been able to escape our earlier predicament," Xiao Yan replied seriously.
He was a man who valued gratitude, and Jia Nan Academy had helped him and Yao Lao immensely. Repaying this kindness was only right.
That said, Lu Bu was an exception Xiao Yan considered their relationship to be a mutual alliance. Helping each other was expected. Besides, considering how much of Yao Lao's resources Lu Bu had already taken, Xiao Yan wouldn't be surprised if his teacher's entire hoard was emptied soon.
If Xiao Yan didn't grow stronger and eventually rival Lu Bu, he feared he would one day become nothing more than Lu Bu's errand boy or subordinate. That wasn't a future he desired!
"Let's just say it was mutual assistance," Su Qian said with a chuckle. "But the road ahead is long, and the Jia Ma Empire's current situation is unstable. You need to hurry back."
"I've prepared a Griffin Beast for you. Its speed will make your journey more comfortable," Su Qian added.
At that moment, the distant roar of a magical beast echoed as a massive Griffin Beast soared down, flapping its mighty wings.
"Thank you, Grand Elder!" Xiao Yan's eyes lit up as he cupped his hands in gratitude.
"There's no need for thanks. You're a student of Jia Nan Academy, and you've helped the academy greatly. This is the least we can do," Su Qian said warmly.
"Now hurry back. With a fifth tier alchemist of your caliber, the Jia Ma Empire might just turn the tide of this war!"
"Then I'll take my leave!" Xiao Yan said with a laugh, embracing Nalan Yanran by the waist as they leaped onto the Griffin Beast's back.
"Ha ha ha!"
With a low roar, the Griffin Beast flapped its wings, carrying Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran out of the Inner Academy's spatial boundary.
In the forest, Xiao Yan's laughter echoed as they disappeared into the distance.
He had arrived as a mere Da Dou Shi, his family in peril and his heart filled with fear.
Now, he departed as a Dou Wang, holding a beauty in his arms, sent off by Dou Zongs, and riding a mighty Griffin Beast.
"This boy… While he can't compare to Lu Bu, he's bound to achieve greatness in the future," Su Qian said with a smile, watching the Griffin Beast vanish into the horizon.
"Of course. He's one of our students and Yao Lao's personal disciple. How could his accomplishments be mediocre?"
The space nearby rippled as an elderly figure slowly appeared it was Elder Bai Lie.
"Indeed," Su Qian agreed with a nod. "With his return, perhaps the Jia Ma Empire's crisis can be averted. Speaking of which, the Yunlan Sect is quite impressive, producing talents like Lu Bu and even having Xiao Yan as an allied relative."
"Don't underestimate the Yunlan Sect. It's not as simple as it seems," Elder Bai Lie said with a faint smile.
"Oh?" Su Qian raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What's so special about the Yunlan Sect?"
After all, the Yunlan Sect seemed like just another regional power with a Dou Huang leader. It wasn't particularly remarkable.
Bai Lie chuckled. "The Yunlan Sect was founded by Yun Potian, a Dou Zun. At its peak, the Yunlan Sect's influence stretched across the Black Corner Region and beyond."
"Tell me, Su Qian, how easy is it to reach the Dou Zun realm?"
"Uh…" Su Qian had no response. Achieving Dou Zun was incredibly difficult. Even Elder Qian, a once brilliant talent who had surpassed Su Qian, had failed to reach that level despite numerous resources and assistance.
The odds of reaching the Dou Zun realm required not only talent and resources but also an extraordinary stroke of luck. Few ever made it.
"So why do you think Yun Potian succeeded?" Bai Lie asked with a smile.
"Why?" Su Qian's eyes narrowed as he sought an answer. Did Yun Potian have some special background?
"I don't know!" Bai Lie said, chuckling mischievously.
"…" Su Qian's face darkened. If you don't know, then why act like you do?!
Seeing Su Qian's exasperated expression, Bai Lie laughed. "But I do know that our academy's headmaster once visited Yun Potian and seemed to have a good relationship with him."
"Wait… could Yun Potian also be part of the Lei Clan?" Su Qian asked, startled.
He had recently learned from Gu Clan's Elder Lin that the academy's headmaster belonged to the Lei Clan, one of the ancient imperial clans. The Lei Clan was shrouded in mystery, with little known about them other than their mastery of lightning based Dou Qi.
"Lightning and clouds do have a certain connection…" Su Qian mused.
In the eastern forest outside the Inner Academy, Lu Bu held Medusa's slender waist as their figures streaked through the air at high speed.
"What's happening with Zi Yan?" Lu Bu asked.
"The energy of heaven and earth is becoming restless, and her cocoon is trembling," Medusa replied with a smile. "It's a sign of a breakthrough, so I came to find you."
"How do you know oh, right, you're a magical beast too," Lu Bu started to question her but quickly realized the answer.
Medusa pursed her lips and chuckled. Although she didn't know exactly what kind of magical beast Zi Yan was, she could easily recognize the signs of a successful breakthrough for a fellow magical beast.
As they spoke, the two of them descended into the valley, where the silver Earth Demon Puppet stood like a statue, silently stationed beside the Spirit Gathering Array.
At the center of the array, the violet cocoon quivered violently, radiating dazzling rays of light. The majestic aura of a dragon swept across the area, shaking the heavens and earth. Nearby magical beasts screeched in terror and scrambled to flee as fast as their legs could carry them.
Medusa's face paled, and she felt her legs go weak. "Zi… Zi Yan, what kind of magical beast is she? How can she be this powerful?"
Her true form was the Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, one of the pinnacles of snake type magical beasts. Throughout the entire magical beast realm, few could match her strength.
"She's a Void Ancient Dragon," Lu Bu said with a light chuckle, his hand casually stroking Medusa's waist. The flawless sensation of her soft skin made it impossible for him to resist. In his mind, only Xiao Yi Xian's touch could rival hers.
"No wonder… You jerk! Zi Yan is about to come out!" Medusa's face turned red as she gritted her teeth. Her legs, already weak, now felt even softer under his touch.
"You said I was timid last time, didn't you?" Lu Bu whispered playfully into her ear, nibbling lightly on her earlobe. "Do I still seem timid to you now?"
Medusa's breath hitched in frustration. She knew Lu Bu wouldn't go too far, but how on earth was she supposed to explain her flushed face to Zi Yan later?
With a cold huff, she twisted her delicate body. Multicolored light flashed, and in the blink of an eye, she transformed into a slender serpent the width of a finger.
"You bastard! Are you trying to kill me?!" Medusa hissed in anger. Her snake form coiled tightly around Lu Bu's neck, squeezing before reluctantly loosening again out of concern for him.
"You're not afraid of Yun Yun; why be scared of Zi Yan?" Lu Bu teased.
"Yun Yun is Yun Yun. Zi Yan is Zi Yan!" Medusa huffed, draping herself lazily over his shoulder. Her tiny snake tail flicked up and playfully slapped his ear in irritation.
Crack! Crack!
At that moment, the trembling of the violet cocoon seemed to reach its peak. Cracks spread rapidly across its surface, filling the air with an otherworldly glow.
Lu Bu exchanged a glance with the little serpent resting on his shoulder. Zi Yan was coming out!
Medusa chose to ignore Lu Bu's teasing for now. Her snake tail flicked as she slithered off his shoulder and down his arm, curling up in his palm for a better view.
Seeing this, Lu Bu instinctively lifted his hand to bring Medusa closer.
Boom!
A violet pillar of light shot into the sky as the cocoon, now riddled with cracks, exploded in an instant. Within the pillar of light stood a hazy figure, her silhouette tall and curvaceous. Bathed in the regal glow of the dragon's aura, her presence exuded both nobility and allure, her figure rivaling even Medusa's.
Medusa: (ΦoΦ)
In Lu Bu's palm, Medusa couldn't help but gape, her tiny mouth falling open in shock. Was this really the same little girl, Zi Yan?
Lu Bu's eyebrows shot up, and joy spread across his face. As expected, his Zi Yan had grown up beautifully!
The pillar of light lingered for a moment before gradually dissipating, revealing the figure within.
Zi Yan stood tall with an exquisite, shapely figure. Her long, light purple hair cascaded down to her curvy hips, while a faint purple glow surrounded her, adding an air of both seduction and regality.
The white dress that had previously fit her perfectly was now split apart. The top barely covered her chest, leaving her collarbone exposed, while her slender waist was on full display. As for her lower half, the dress had shortened to resemble hot pants, exposing her long, toned legs to the air.
The sight left Lu Bu's heart racing. Zi Yan, my Dragon Queen… truly magnificent!
On the other side, Zi Yan lazily stretched, her newly matured figure on full display.
Sensing something, she turned her head and met Lu Bu's somewhat stunned gaze. A playful smirk tugged at her lips, and her figure flickered. In the next instant, she appeared in Lu Bu's arms.
"Heh heh… Do you like it, little man?" Zi Yan purred, her voice rich and sultry. She draped herself against him as she had always done, her arms hooked around his neck. Her long legs coiled tightly around his waist, while her alluring, mature face wore a smile identical to Medusa's.
Her voice was magnetic and seductive, so much so that just hearing it conjured up the image of a sultry older sister.
"Uh…" Lu Bu instinctively leaned his head back. Even though he had expected this transformation, seeing Zi Yan like this for the first time left him a bit dazed.
For a moment, he didn't know how to react.
Medusa, too, was momentarily dumbfounded. Even though she had been prepared for this, the actual sight was overwhelming, and she found herself unable to process it immediately.
Zi Yan didn't seem to mind. With a mischievous smile, she gently ran her hand through her hair, savoring Lu Bu's awkward reaction.
"Ahem… Zi Yan, come down already," Lu Bu finally said, snapping out of his stupor and awkwardly patting her shoulder.
"Nope! You used to carry me like this all the time," Zi Yan teased, tightening her grip around his neck.
However, just as she spoke, her body trembled. A flash of violet gold light mixed with green energy burst forth, causing all three of them to freeze in surprise.
The next second, Zi Yan's voluptuous figure began to shrink rapidly, deflating like a balloon. Before long, she returned to her original petite form, looking just like the little girl she had been before.
Lu Bu's face darkened. He couldn't help but recall a scene from Tom and Jerry the one where Jerry drinks the potion, grows into a hulking mouse, and pummels Tom, only to shrink back to his normal size when the effect wears off. Zi Yan now looked just like that deflated Jerry.
"Damn it! That wretched Shaping Grass!" Zi Yan wailed, throwing her head back in frustration.
"Pfft… haha!" Medusa, now back in her human form, couldn't hold back her laughter.
Zi Yan glared at her. "What are you laughing at? When I transform, I'm bigger than you!"
"Zi Yan, it's fine. Being small is cute too," Medusa said, patting her on the head with a soft chuckle.
She's a Dou Huang now, Medusa thought to herself as she gently ruffled Zi Yan's hair, sensing the breakthrough in her aura.
"Alright, Zi Yan," Lu Bu said with a cough, his expression turning serious. "Now that you've successfully broken through, it's time for us to move."
"Move? Where to?" Zi Yan asked, her gaze sharpening.
"We're heading back to the Jia Ma Empire. Something's happened there," Medusa replied. "Do you want to come with us?"
"Of course! Wherever Lu Bu goes, I go!" Zi Yan answered without hesitation.
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